Nuri Sahin seals return to Dortmund

German champions Borussia Dortmund have brought Nuri Sahin back to the club on a long-term loan, after his temporary spell at Liverpool from Real Madrid was cut short.

Nuri Sahin has returned to the Bundesliga

Sahin, 24, was voted the Bundesliga's player of the year at the end of the 2010-11 season, when he inspired Dortmund to their first title since 2002.

However, he left to join Real that summer, signing a contract until 2017, but made little impression in Spain after struggling to overcome injury and could not break into the first team.

The Turkish international was loaned out to Liverpool in August, but could not establish himself at Anfield either and has opted for a return to Germany after being linked earlier this month.

"We emphasised during our title celebrations in 2011 that Nuri Sahin will always remain a very special Borussia Dortmund player and that the door would always be open to him if he ever felt the desire to come back and play for us," Dortmund chief executive Aki Watzke said. "In the past few days, Nuri approached us with this wish, and we have made it become reality.

"We are very pleased to be able to welcome another player of his quality to our squad."

Sahin added: "I am happy to be back home. Over the past 18 months I have always been in contact with BVB officials, players and coaches. I hope I can help the team as soon as possible.

"I've not come to steal somebody's place. I know things have changed in the 18 months I have been away, but I am here to make my own contribution to Dortmund's future success.''

Liverpool announced in a statement on their website that read: "An agreement has been reached with Real Madrid allowing midfielder Nuri Sahin's loan deal to end, so he can join another club with immediate effect.

"Sahin arrived at Anfield for a season-long stay in August 2012, but will now spend the rest of the campaign with Borussia Dortmund, the side with whom he won the 2011 German championship."

Dortmund left-back Marcel Schmelzer has also signed a new contract to run until the summer of 2017.

"Marcel is an important component of what is still a young side,'' said the club's director of sport Michael Zorc.